richardcartright, Author at Construct it Yourself

Making FF&E, Material and Finish Selections

Posted by richardcartright

· October 9, 2013

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The term FF&E is an acronym for Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment. Furniture is movable items such as tables and chairs. Fixtures are the immovable items such as cabinets. Equipment is a machine such as a water-heater or air conditioner. All are used to make a house or other space suitable for living and/or working. Materials and Finishes, are generally talked…

Dear Construction Conductor

Posted by richardcartright

· July 12, 2013

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Dear Construction Conductor: What is the cheapest and best way to get several design ideas for my full kitchen remodel? I know I want to remove a wall, so I will have to use an architect. Sincerely, On a Budget, Austin, TX Dear On a Budget, Thank you for your question. The cheapest and best way to get several design…

Missing a commercial deadline can be like watching a slow-motion train wreck.

Posted by richardcartright

· October 11, 2012

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Last summer, I went to the county fair and stopped by a booth for a local pre-school that was under construction near my house. I’d been watching construction progress through varying stages, when I would occasionally pass by that direction. I think it was early June when I saw it last. With less than three months to school starting, the…

11 questions to ask before signing with a contractor.

Posted by richardcartright

· October 2, 2012

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Before sending out your bid package, talk to multiple companies to get more information about each. Give each contractor a quick call to conducting a short phone interview as you connect, or you can choose to include a questionnaire as part of a simple interview process. It’s up to you, as it is truly a matter of comfort. If you…

Help! My contractor is adding additional terms!

Posted by richardcartright

· August 23, 2012

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The following is a question and answer session from the Norwich Bulletin, followed by a response from Richard Cartright, the Founder of Construction Conductor. Q: I hired a general contractor to oversee a home renovation to my property, a 988-square-foot two-story farmhouse. The contractor charges me 20 percent plus an hourly rate when he is on the site. He does…

How much time will it take to manage your own Construction Project?

Posted by richardcartright

· August 7, 2012

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Some owners think a professional construction manager is not needed. They are sure that in just a few short hours per week they can keep in contact with all their subcontractors, make material choices, manage the project’s finances and even deal with the building inspectors. “It shouldn’t be all that hard,” they say to themselves, “why pay for services I…